Sorry For: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionEnglish Usage
Quick answer
Use “sorry for” in documented contexts such as expressing sympathy for someone or regret/apology for a thing or consequence.
Key details
Confusion Familyusage-construction
Rule Familyadjective or complement construction
Termssorry for
Further guidance
Construction
Use “sorry for” in documented contexts such as expressing sympathy for someone or regret/apology for a thing or consequence.
Style Boundary
Cambridge also documents “sorry about” and “sorry to”; the intended meaning and complement determine the construction, so this page does not treat “for” as the only complement after “sorry.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
Sorry↗ (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct learner-dictionary evidence for sorry about + noun/event and sorry + to-infinitive.
Ablaze With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Abound In or With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Absorbed In: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Acceptable To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Accessible To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Acclaimed For: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
